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Using Actions to automate interactions

Using Actions to automate interactions

Create actions to automate or trigger visual changes based on user interaction with your dashboard, all without writing a line of code.
Ameena Ahsan Pirbhai avatar
Written by Ameena Ahsan Pirbhai
Updated over a week ago

Introducing no code Actions

Use the Actions feature to add customized interactions and analytical (logic) functions to your workbook - all without writing any code.

Define the action you want to create, it could be to automate visual changes to your data using a filter, or to add interactive actions that modify the worksheet with the click of a button. You can do both of those actions by putting them in sequence.

Drag and drop blocks from the catalog to create an action. Each action must have an input (trigger) and an output. Placing a condition between them is not mandatory.

Creating an Action in three steps

  1. Open a workbook, add a new workbook layer

  2. From the left side panel, click on Actions to open the Action Editor.

  3. Select the action blocks to build your action. When you're happy with the action, click Done to complete the action.

Astrato worksheet with the link to the Actions catalog highlighted.

If you have an element on your worksheet, like a button, the link to modify its actions displays in the Object style toolbar as well.

Link to Actions displays in an object's style menu.

Understanding the Action Editor

The Action Editor displays a new layer for you to create your first Action. The catalog of actions displays on the left. The Actions sheets are numbered at the top in the middle. Click the plus (+) icon to add a new page.

Action Editor displays.

Drag and drop blocks from the catalog to create an action.

Tip: Organize your actions on individual sheets, so they're always ready to use in a new view.

The example below shows the use of two actions; a Trigger event (Every 120 seconds) and a Filter event.

Tip: You can preview the actions and they how they would behave in a published workbook. They run only when viewing a workbook and not while you're editing.

Example of an Event trigger with an Apply filter outcome.

Using Action blocks

Each action block represents a coding concept and the whole action is displayed as interlocking blocks.

Each block only fits with the shapes that can create a logical flow. If you try to add a block that is incompatible with the sequence, the blocks will not connect.

Most blocks include a field or drop-down options where text or parameters are set.

Use the catalog to modify the ones you have or create more.

Tip: Organize your actions on individual pages, so they're always ready to use in a new view.

Modifying an action block

Click on the action block and drag it down to detach it from the blocks.

The fields on an action block can hold text, numbers, boolean conditions, and defined outcomes as part of their sequential flow.

If you have a block that is incomplete or invalid, it displays as red, indicating the action can't be performed. In this example, the field on the Button trigger action shows 'No buttons' because there is no button on the worksheet for it to reference.

The action block displays as red if it is missing an output on the worksheet.

Removing an action block

To remove an action block simply drag it back to the toolbar, or select it and press Delete. To keep it on the side for use, drag it slightly away from the middle where you're building your action.

Trigger blocks

These blocks must be placed at the start of the flow for an action.

Controls

  • Button - Start point when a specific button has been interacted with. Pick a button from the dropdown in the block and then if it should be triggered through a click event or on hover.

Events

  • Timer - Cycles through every set amount of seconds. It triggers the action with each new cycle.

  • Enter sheet - Triggered when entering a sheet. Set which sheet should be used in the dropdown of the block

  • Variable change - Is executed when the chosen variable is changed. Define which variable the block should listen for a change on.

  • Before workbook opens - you can use this trigger to apply a Navigation action, for example, to select a specific sheet within your workbook to display first.

Trigger action blocks from the Action catalog.

Logic blocks

These blocks can change the flow of the action executed based on conditions to produce multiple outcomes.

These are split into Conditions and Parameters.

Conditions

  • Mathematical operations - Expects to be provided with numerical values. Returns a boolean. Operators available:

    • =

    • >

    • <

    • >=

    • <=

    • between two values

  • IF - Expects to be provided with a boolean. If the boolean returns true the blocks inside will run.

  • IF/ELSE - Expects to be provided with a boolean. If the boolean returns true the blocks inside of the IF-clause will run, otherwise the blocks inside of the ELSE-clause will run.

  • IF/ELSE IF - Expects to be provided with two booleans. If the first boolean is true the IF-clause will run. Otherwise the second boolean will be checked and if the second one returns true the ELSE IF-clause will run.

Logic - conditional action blocks from the Action catalog.

Parameters

  • Static boolean - Returns the value specified in the dropdown.

  • Variable boolean - Returns the current value of the variable.

  • Measure parameter - Returns a number. Pick a table in the first dropdown, a field in the second dropdown, and aggregation in the third dropdown. Also applied the current filters applied to the query.

  • 'Number blocks' have rounded edges and can only be put into slots in other blocks where a numeric outcome is expected.

Logic - parameter action blocks from the Action catalog.

Outcome blocks

Use these blocks to define the output of your action. They can be put in a sequence and return changes in the workbook.

These actions output a change to Navigation, Filter/Data, and Variables

Outcome action blocks from the Action catalog.

The outcome of an action is the result of the flow and changes the state of the workbook or the execution of a function.

Navigation

  • Sheet navigation - Navigates to a sheet in the workbook

    • First sheet

    • Last sheet

    • Next sheet

    • Previous sheet

    • Specific sheet - Pick a sheet in the dropdown of the block

  • Open URL - Navigates to the URL specified in a new tab

Filters

  • Apply filter - Applies a filter to the workbook.

  • Clear filter - Clears all filters applied in the workbook.

  • Refresh data - Makes a new query for the objects on the sheet.

Variables

  • Set variable - Expects a matching variable type. Pick a variable in the dropdown then the value of that variable will change to the assigned value when run.

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